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Skiing and snowshoeing

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Smiling boy holding snowshoesWoman cross-country skiing in forest

COVID-19 Alert

The GRCA continues to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation in Ontario. The health, safety and well-being of our staff, volunteers and the community remain our highest priority. Please visit our COVID-19 Update page where you will find the most up-to-date information on impacts to GRCA programs and services. 

The following conservation areas offer cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, when conditions allow. The trails are also available for winter hiking.

  • Check current conditions:
    Trail conditions are available on our Conservation Area and Activity Status page. Information is updated in real time as conditions change. To avoid disappointment, check the current status before arriving.

  • Trails are groomed and/or track-set for cross-country skiing when conditions allow. Check for specific grooming information in the conservation area sections below.
  • Cross-country skiiers please use the right side of the trail. Hikers and snowshoers please stay to the left side of the trail to avoid the ski tracks.
  • Ski and snowshoe rental equipment will not be offered in 2022. 
Laurel Creek Conservation Area, Waterloo
Location: 625 Westmount Road North, Waterloo (Google Map of conservation area location)
  • Current Conditions: Current trail conditions are available on our Conservation Area and Activity Status page. Information is updated in real time as conditions change. To avoid disappointment, check the current status before arriving.
  • Phone: 519-884-6620
  • Email: LaurelCreekConservationArea@grandriver.ca
  • Admission: Regular gate admission fees apply. See fees for details.
  • Hours: Please visit the Laurel Creek page or the Conservation Area and Activity Status page for hours of operation.
  • Trails: 4.5 kilometres of multi-use trails. Trails are groomed as conditions permit. (Please note the trails are not track-set nor groomed for skate skiing.)
  • Rentals: Ski equipment rentals will not be offered in 2022. 
  • Dogs: Pets are welcome and must remain on a leash at all times.
  • More information: Visit the Laurel Creek page.
Pinehurst Lake Conservation Area, Paris
Location: 468 Pinehurst Road (formerly Highway 24A), 10 kilometres north of Paris and 12 kilometres south of Cambridge. (Google Map of conservation area location)
  • Current Conditions: Current trail conditions are available on our Conservation Area and Activity Status page. Information is updated in real time as conditions change. To avoid disappointment, check the current status before arriving.
  • Phone: 519-442-4721
  • Email: PinehurstLakeConservationArea@grandriver.ca
  • Admission: Regular gate admission fees apply. See fees for details.
  • Hours: Please visit the Pinehurst Lake page or the Conservation Area and Activity Status page for hours of operation. 
  • Trails: 14 kilometers of multi-use trails. Trails are groomed and track-set for classic skiing, as conditions permit. (Please note the trails are not groomed for skate skiing.)
  • Rentals: Ski and snowshoe equipment rentals will not be offered in 2022.
  • Dogs: Pets are welcome and must remain on a leash at all times.
  • More information: Visit the Pinehurst Lake page.
Shade's Mills Conservation Area, Cambridge
Location: 450 Avenue Road, Cambridge (Google Map of conservation area location)
  • Current Conditions: Current trail conditions are available on our Conservation Area and Activity Status page. Information is updated in real time as conditions change. To avoid disappointment, check the current status before arriving.
  • Phone: 519-621-3697
  • Email: ShadesMillsConservationArea@grandriver.ca
  • Admission: Regular gate admission fees apply. See fees for details.
  • Hours: Please visit the Shade's Mills page or the Conservation Area and Activity Status page for hours of operation.
  • Trails: 10 kilometres of multi-use trails. Trails are groomed and track-set for classic skiing, as conditions permit. (Please note the trails are not groomed for skate skiing.) 
  • Rentals: Ski and snowshoe equipment rentals will not be offered in 2022.
  • Dogs: Pets are welcome and must remain on a leash at all times.
  • More information: Visit the Shade's Mills page.
 Guelph Lake Conservation Area, Guelph

 Location: 7743 Conservation Road, Guelph - Google Map of conservation area location

  • Current Conditions: Current trail conditions are available on our Conservation Area and Activity Status page. Information is updated in real time as conditions change. To avoid disappointment, check the current status before arriving.
  • Phone: 519-824-5061
  • Email: GuelphLakeConservationArea@grandriver.ca
  • Admission: Regular gate admission fees apply. See fees for details.
  • Hours: Please visit the Guelph Lake page or the Conservation Area and Activity Status page for hours of operation.
  • Trails: 10 kilometres of multi-use trails. Trails are groomed as conditions permit. (Please note the trails are not groomed for skate skiing.)
  • Dogs: Pets are welcome and must remain on a leash at all times.
  • More information: Visit the Guelph Lake page.

Trail conditions descriptions 

The condition of the trails will be marked as follows. Check the Conservation Area & Activity Status page for current conditions.

  • Recommended

    • The trail has been fully or partially groomed and/or track-set

  • Not Recommended (Indicates one or more of the following conditions)

    • Icy base (due to recent warm temperatures, rain or freezing rain)
    • Dangerous debris or obstacles on the trails
    • Some sections with patches that are more than 50% bare
    • A substantial snowfall has caused a delay in trail maintenance work

  • No Information (Indicates one or more of the following conditions)

    • Early in the season, the trails have not yet been mechanically groomed
    • Staff have not been on the trails since a recent, substantial snowfall
    • Staff have not been on the trails since a recent rainfall
    • Rapidly melting base has prevented staff from checking the conditions of the trails

  • Emergency Closure (Indicates one or more of the following conditions)

    • Emergency on the trail or in the conservation area

    • High risk hazard on the trail or in the conservation area, such as ice covered branches
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